Future strategic plan analysis for integrating distributed renewable generation to smart grid through wireless sensor network: Malaysia prospect

AbstractIntegration of Distributed Renewable Generation (DRG) to the future Smart Grid (SG) is one of the important considerations that is highly prioritized in the SG development roadmap by most of the countries including Malaysia. The plausible way of this integration is the enhancement of information and bidirectional communication infrastructure for energy monitoring and controlling facilities. However, urgency of data delivery through maintaining critical time condition is not crucial in these facilities. In this paper, we have surveyed state-of-the-art protocols for different Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) with the aim of realizing communication infrastructure for DRG in Malaysia. Based on the analytical results from surveys, data communication for DRG should be efficient, flexible, reliable, cost effective, and secured. To meet this achievement, IEEE802.15.4 supported ZigBee PRO protocol together with sensors and embedded system is shown as Wireless Sensor (WS) for DRG bidirectional network with prospect of attaining data monitoring facilities. The prospect towards utilizing ZigBee PRO protocol can be a cost effective option for full integration of intelligent DRG and small scale Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV)/Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) under SG roadmap (Phase4: 2016–2017) conducted by Malaysia national utility company, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB). Moreover, we have provided a direction to utilize the effectiveness of ZigBee-WS network with the existing optical communication backbone for data importing from the end DRG site to the TNB control center. A comparative study is carried out among developing countries on recent trends of SG progress which reveals that some common projects like smart metering and DRG integration are on priority

Multiwavelength L-band fiber laser with bismuth-oxide EDF and photonic crystal fiber.

A multiwavelength laser comb using a bismuth-based erbium-doped fiber and 50 m photonic crystal fiber is demonstrated in a ring cavity configuration. The fiber laser is solely pumped by a single 1455 nm Raman pump laser to exploit its higher power delivery compared to that of a single-mode laser diode pump. At 264 mW Raman pump power and 1 mW Brillouin pump power, 38 output channels in the L-band have been realized with an optical signal-to-noise ratio above 15 dB and a Stokes line spacing of 0.08 nm. The laser exhibits a tuning range of 12 nm and produces stable Stokes lines across the tuning range between Brillouin pump wavelengths of 1603 nm and 1615 nm

Power system security enhancement and loss reduction using the SMART power flow controller

The continuous increase of power demand stresses the system, and adversely affects its security. It may lead to components overload and their outage, voltage decline and its collapse, which may cause entire system blackout. As well, the normal flow of power in transmission lines is not the best possible. In this paper, the Phase Angle Regulator (PAR) and Sen Transformer (ST) are suggested to be used for better utilization of the transmission lines, and to enhance power system security. In this work, the PAR and ST are modelled, and connected in a five bus test system using MATLAB/SIMULINK. The simulation results showed validity of both PAR and ST, and the superiority of ST, since it enhances both power flow and voltage security. Based on the results, the new emerging smart power and voltage control device ST is a very effective tool that can be combined into Smart Grids (SGs). It is found that, usage of ST not only manages line flow congestion and maintains bus voltage, but also increases overall efficiency

Economic viability of distributed energy resources relative to substation and feeder facilities expansion

Distributed energy resources have numerous benefits, of which is transmission network upgrade deferral. This application is particularly important where there are constraints in upgrading of the existing or construction of new generation units and transmission circuits. This paper presents a cost comparison of the central plant option and DG in meeting additional load demand. The economic analysis for a twenty-year planning horizon is carried out in this study using present worth factor. The results obtained with a 30-bus test radial distribution network using MATPOWER show the economic viability of DG when compared with upgrading the existing substation and feeder facilities, especially when incremental load is considered

User-friendly Tool for Power Flow Analysis and Distributed Generation Optimisation in Radial Distribution Networks

The intent of power distribution companies (DISCOs) is to deliver electric power to their customers in an efficient and reliable manner – with minimal energy loss cost. One major way to minimise power loss on a given power system is to install distributed generation (DG) units on the distribution networks. However, to maximise benefits, it is highly crucial for a DISCO to ensure that these DG units are of optimal size and sited in the best locations on the network. This paper gives an overview of a software package developed in this study, called Power System Analysis and DG Optimisation Tool (PFADOT). The main purpose of the graphical user interface-based package is to guide a DISCO in finding the optimal size and location for DG placement in radial distribution networks. The package, which is also suitable for load flow analysis, employs the GUI feature of MATLAB. Three objective functions are formulated into a single optimisation problem and solved with fuzzy genetic algorithm to simultaneously obtain DG optimal size and location. The accuracy and reliability of the developed tool was validated using several radial test systems, and the results obtained are evaluated against the existing similar package cited in the literature, which are impressive and computationally efficient

A Simple Approach in Estimating the Effectiveness of Adapting Mirror Concentrator and Tracking Mechanism for PV Arrays in the Tropics

Mirror concentrating element and tracking mechanism has been seriously investigated and widely adapted in solar PV technology. In this study, a practical in-field method is conducted in Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia, for the two technologies in comparison to the common fixed flat PV arrays. The data sampling process is measured under stochastic weather characteristics with the main target of calculating the effectiveness of PV power output. The data are monitored, recorded, and analysed in real time via GPRS online monitoring system for 10 consecutive months. The analysis is based on a simple comparison of the actual daily power generation from each PV generator with statistical analysis of multiple linear regression (MLR) and analysis of variance test (ANOVA). From the analysis, it is shown that tracking mechanism generates approximately 88 Watts (9.4%) compared to the mirror concentrator which generates 144 Watts (23.4%) of the cumulative dc power for different array configurations at standard testing condition (STC) references. The significant increase in power generation shows feasibilities of implying both mechanisms for PV generators and thus contributes to additional reference in PV array design

Embracing new agriculture commodity through integration of Java Tea as high Value Herbal crops in solar PV farms

Integration of agriculture and renewable energy resources (RER) is currently a hot topic discussed worldwide based on the need for green energy and sustainable economy. The decreasing trend of global market value for the traditional agricultural commodity such as Rubber and Palm Oil really affected the Gross National Income (GNI) and thus, the government of Malaysia outlined a number of strategic thrusts to boost economic growth. Herbal products have been given sufficient rooms for extension as the first approved Entry Point Projects (EPP1) driver of sustainability. Orthosiphon Stamineus also known as Java Tea is among the five commercialize High-Value Herbal crops (HVHc) and chosen to be deployed under PV arrays based on its sustainability and potential market value. The financial analysis is based on 3-months harvesting cycle with reference to the harvesting coefficience pc and realistic cash flow. The Internal Rate of Return (IRR) is valued at 15.74% that benchmarks positive net return for herbal producers. The cash functions based on Return-on-Investment (ROI) can be achieved after 10 months cycle of production with Net Present Value (NPV) of RM8,863.59. This initiative flows in line with the Cleaner Production (CP) concept of efficient usage of natural resources to minimize waste and pollution. The concept of agro-technology integration is presented with strong financial return for the unused space under PV arrays configured for large scale PV farms.Highlights> Java Tea herb as High Value Herbal Crops are highlighted for PV integration.> The work proves the sustainability of herbal plantation under Solar PV array.> Herbal products becomes driver of sustainable and cleaner production.> The work initiates the concept of agro-technology integration with strong financial return

Chemical and thermal performance analysis of a solar thermochemical reactor for hydrogen production via two-step WS cycle

Ceria-based H2O/CO2-splitting solar-driven thermochemical cycle produces hydrogen or syngas. Thermal optimization of solar thermochemical reactor (STCR) improves the solar-to-fuel conversion efficiency. This research presents two conceptual designs and thermal modelling of RPC-ceria-based STCR cavities to attain the optimal operating conditions for CeO2 reduction step. Presented hybrid geometries consisting of cylindrical–hemispherical and conical frustum–hemispherical structures. The focal point was positioned at x = 0, -10 mm, and -20 mm from the aperture to examine the flux distribution in both solar reactor configurations. Case-1 with 2 milliradian S.E (slope error) yields a 27% greater solar flux than case-1 with 4 milliradians S.E, despite the 4 milliradian S.E produces an elevated temperature in the reactor cavity. The mean temperature in the reactive porous region was most significant for case-2 (x = -10 mm) with 4 mrad S.E for model-2, reaching 1966 K and 2008 K radially and axially, respectively. In case-2 (x = -10 mm) for 4 mrad S.E, model-1 attained 1720 K. The efficiency analysis shows that the highest conversion efficiency value was obtained to be 7.95% for case-1 with 4 milliradian S.E

Analysis the energy saving of Chiller Plant (CHIP) daily operation by using optimal projected capacity of Ice Thermal Energy Storage (ITES)

High total cooling load (COLA) relatively during peak and mid-peak as compared to off-peak hour's period requires more operating equipment of chiller plant (CHIP) to be operated during that period. The more operating equipment working, the more energy consumed is required to provide cooling thermal for COLA. High energy consumption of CHIP operation during peak and mid-peak hour lead high electricity cost due to higher energy charge charged by utility for every per kWh energy consumed by a CHIP operation. Therefore, this study aims to determine potential energy saving of CHIP operation by using optimal charging of ice thermal energy storage (ITES), then provide cooling thermal (COMA) for total COLA through discharging operation. Cooling thermal of ITES was charged based on maximum required COLA during peak and mid-peak hour. In this study, an optimization technique of linear programming was used to charge ITES optimally during off-peak hour. Analysis was conducted to compare the energy consumption of CHIP operation by using ITES discharging operation with the current practice of CHIP operator. This analysis showed that, the potential energy saving based on this strategy by using optimization technique is 27.89%